Cottage cheese cake

Cheese Cake: The Delight That Will Enchant Your Taste Buds

Welcome to the world of desserts! Today I will teach you how to prepare a cheese cake, a simple yet incredibly delicious dessert that combines the creamy texture of cheese with the refreshing flavor of lemon. This recipe, rooted in popular culinary traditions, has been adapted over time, but its essence remains unchanged: the pleasure of savoring a delightful dessert made with love.

Preparation time: 30 minutes
Baking time: 1 hour
Total time: 1 hour and 30 minutes
Number of servings: 8-10

Ingredients:
- 15-16 biscuits (preferably digestive or petit beurre)
- 120 g butter (or a combination of 60 g butter and 60 g margarine)
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 700-800 g cottage cheese (you can use fresh, well-drained cheese)
- Approximately 1.5 cups sour cream
- 2 cups sugar (you can adjust the amount according to your preferences)
- 3 eggs
- 1 packet vanilla sugar
- Juice and zest of one lemon
- 3 tablespoons flour
- 100 ml whipped cream Hulala (or a plant-based whipped cream)

Preparing the dessert:
1. Preparing the base: Start by crushing the biscuits. You can use a food processor or put them in a bag and crush them with a rolling pin. The crushed biscuits should become a fine mixture, but don’t overdo it; you don’t want to get powder.
2. In a bowl, add the crushed biscuits, melted butter, and one tablespoon of sugar. Mix well until all the ingredients combine. The result should be a moist mixture that holds together.
3. Forming the base: Line a 22 cm diameter cake pan with parchment paper. Pour the biscuit mixture into the pan and press it down firmly with your hand to create an even layer. This base will be the foundation of your cake.
4. Baking the base: Preheat the oven to 180°C and place the base in for about 10 minutes. It will become crispy and provide a solid base for your cake.
5. Preparing the filling: In a large bowl, add the cottage cheese and mix it lightly to make it creamier. Add the sugar and flour, mixing well. Then, separate the eggs: beat the egg whites until foamy and add the yolks to the cheese mixture, along with the vanilla sugar, lemon juice, and zest.
6. Finalizing the mixture: In another bowl, mix the sour cream with the beaten egg whites. Carefully fold the sour cream mixture into the cheese mixture to achieve a light and fluffy filling.
7. Combining the ingredients: Pour the filling over the biscuit base and level the surface with a spatula. Ensure it is evenly distributed to avoid uneven baking.
8. Baking the cake: Bake the cake at 180°C for 20 minutes. After this period, reduce the oven temperature to 150°C and let it bake for another hour. It is important not to open the oven door during baking, as the cake may collapse.
9. Cooling the cake: Once the baking time is over, turn off the oven and leave the cake inside with the door slightly ajar for another hour. This step will help the cake stabilize and prevent cracking.
10. Preparing the whipped cream: In a bowl, whip the Hulala cream with 2 tablespoons of sugar and lemon juice until fluffy. This will add a delicate layer of creaminess on top of the cake.
11. Finalizing and serving: Once the cake has completely cooled, decorate it with the prepared whipped cream and refrigerate for at least 8 hours. Ideally, you should leave it overnight, but if time doesn’t allow, even 2 hours will work wonders.

Practical tips:
- For a more intense flavor: You can add a little vanilla essence to the cheese mixture. It’s a simple way to enhance the cake’s aroma.
- Variations: You can experiment with different types of cheese: ricotta or mascarpone can provide a slightly different texture, but just as delicious.
- Serving: This cake pairs wonderfully with a berry sauce or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a perfect contrast of textures and flavors.

Nutritional benefits:
Cottage cheese is an excellent source of protein and calcium, contributing to bone health and maintaining muscle mass. Additionally, sour cream adds healthy fats, and lemon gives you a dose of vitamin C. However, moderation is essential, considering the sugar content.

Frequently asked questions:
- Why does the cake collapse after baking? This helps stabilize the mixture and achieve a finer texture.
- Can I use another type of biscuit? Of course! Cocoa biscuits or chocolate ones can add an interesting note to the dessert.
- How can I prevent the cake from cracking? Make sure not to open the oven door during baking and adhere to the indicated time.

Stay in the kitchen, experiment, and enjoy every moment! The cheese cake is not just a dessert, but also an opportunity to create memories with loved ones. Perhaps in the end, you will want to share this recipe with those around you, bringing a smile to their faces. Bon appétit!

 Ingredients: 15-16 biscuits 120g butter/(I mixed 1/2 butter, 1/2 margarine) 1 tablespoon of sugar 700-800g cottage cheese sour cream (about 1 and 1/2 cups) 2 cups sugar 3 eggs vanilla sugar lemon juice and zest 3 tablespoons flour 100ml whipped cream hulala

 Tags:  cottage cheese or sugar sour cream biscuits